Will Qantas’ new in-flight entertainment prove a boon for Netflix?

By Hannah Edensor

Qantas might be rolling out NBN in the sky, and passengers will soon have access to Netflix, Spotify and Foxtel inflight, but just how profitable is this new high-flying partnership?

In new research from Roy Morgan, they’ve revealed how many Qantas flyers already subscribe – and how many could soon be tempted by a free trial.

Given nearly 4.3 million Australians aged 14+ take at least one domestic flight with Qantas during the year, and 87 per cent of Qantas passengers own a smartphone, it would appear this is a money-making match made in heaven.

However while these millions of passengers will likely be carrying a compatible device on board, only 60 per cent currently use any of the three new in-flight entertainment providers Foxtel, Netflix, Spotify.

33 per cent of Qantas domestic flyers watched Foxtel in the last four weeks, including its streaming options Go and Play, while 32 per cent watched Netflix, and 22 per cent listened to Spotify.

Qantas Domestic Passengers – Technology owned and services currently used

Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director for Roy Morgan Research, said, “The agreement between Qantas and entertainment providers Netflix, Spotify and Foxtel is a win for the airline, the providers, and passengers.

“While six in 10 Qantas domestic passengers will soon be able to log in and start watching and listening in the air, the other four in 10 don’t currently use any of the soon-to-be-available entertainment services—and so could well be tempted to sign up to a free trial (or two or three) the next time they fly.

“For the three providers, an in-flight presence will not only satisfy their existing customers, but also be the perfect opportunity to persuade others to give it a go.

“Netflix and Spotify will be promoted to around 2.9 million and 3.3 million potential new sign-ups respectively—over 90 percent of whom own a mobile or tablet.

“Although their one-month free trials are the same deals as what’s on offer on the ground, airline passengers should represent a rather more captive audience.

“There’s perhaps an extra benefit to Foxtel. A third of Qantas domestic passengers already have Foxtel, but only around one in six of these subscribers watch it via mobile streaming. This means that Foxtel’s three-day usage offer will not only reach up to 2.8 million non-subscribers on Qantas flights, it will also serve to promote its mobile streaming platforms to another 1.1 million subscribers who don’t currently utilise them.

“Readership of Qantas Magazine has remained stable over the last few years, even though more passengers are carrying a mobile or tablet. Airline magazines seem to be a core part of the flying experience, however it will be interesting to see if on-board media consumption charges with the advent of wi-fi and streaming services that passengers may already use on the ground.”

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

foxtel nbn Netflix qantas spotify